Canada-Morocco Exploratory Discussions Towards Possible Free Trade Agreement Negotiation

The Government is participating in exploratory discussions on the possibility of launching free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Morocco. A meeting of officials from both Parties took place on June 1-3, 2009 in Ottawa. Before any decision is taken on the launch of FTA negotiations, the Government is undertaking broad-based consultations with Canadians.

On October 10, 2009, the Government launched public consultations on possible Canada-Morocco FTA negotiations with Canadian provinces and territories, along with businesses, industry associations and the general public. For more information on these consultations, please visit.

• Canada Gazette Notice – October 10, 2009
• Consultations on Possible Free Trade Agreement Negotiations with Morocco

Under Canada’s Global Commerce Strategy, the government is working to advance Canada’s trade interests by opening up new opportunities for Canadian exporters, investors and innovators. The strategy includes an aggressive trade negotiation agenda, aimed at securing competitive terms of access in markets that offer significant potential for our products and expertise.

Trade relations between Canada and Morocco have grown stronger and more diversified over the last decade. An FTA with Morocco would be Canada’s first such agreement with an African country, and Morocco could be the gateway to a new Canadian commercial presence in the Mediterranean region and in North Africa. In 2008, bilateral merchandise trade totalled $452 million, consisting mainly in Canadian exports of wheat (primarily durum), semifinished products of iron and steel and dried shelled pulses (lentils), and imports of citrus fruit (mandarin), crude oil, and women and girls woven suits. Several Canadian investors and service providers are currently present in the Moroccan market (e.g. mining sector, vocational training and education and tourism).

Morocco has an association agreement with the European Union (EU), which took effect in March 2000, providing for the complete dismantling of tariffs by 2012. In March 2004, Morocco signed an FTA with the United States that came into effect on January 1, 2006. Morocco has also concluded FTAs with Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan (these four countries are signatories to the Agadir Declaration), EFTA and Turkey. Morocco is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA).

An FTA with Morocco has the potential to improve the bilateral trade and investment relationship between our countries and further advance Canada's foreign policy objectives in the region. It could also better position Canadian business vis-à-vis competitors in this market, particularly with those who benefit from a preferential trading arrangement with Morocco.

Exploratory discussions with Morocco provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss the scope and parameters of a possible FTA, before any decisions are taken regarding the possibility of launching FTA negotiations.

• Morocco Country Profile
• The Canadian Embassy in Morocco
• Doing Business in Morocco
• Canadian International Development Agency
• Export Development Canada – Country overview (pdf)

If you have questions or comments about this initiative we would like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada at:

Canada-Morocco Exploratory Discussions Towards Possible FTA Negotiations
Consultations and Liaison Division - CSL
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-7981
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca